PANJIM: Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant on Wednesday expressed confidence in the Central government to work out an immediate solution to the mining imbroglio.

Dr Sawant on Wednesday morning unfurled the national tricolour to mark the 72nd Independence Day at Old Secretariat, Panjim in the absence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is in the US for his health check-up.

Addressing the gathering, the Speaker said that mining industry has been one of the biggest sources of employment generation in Goa. “Mining industry is shut now and the government is aware and concerned about the problems faced by the people dependent on the industry,” he said.

“To work out a solution to the mining crisis, the chief minister had recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Group of Ministers seeking their intervention in the matter. We are confident that the solution to mining problem will be worked out at the earliest,” he added.

Mining industry in the State has been shut since March 16 after Supreme Court quashed and set aside the second renewals granted to 88 iron ore mining leases.

In his Independence Day speech, Dr Sawant said that the process has been initiated to advertise vacancies in the government sector. “Soon, jobs in government sector would be opened,” he stated.

The Speaker said that the government is committed to ensure that locals are provided with employment and for that purpose various steps have been mooted like the Information Technology (IT) Policy, Startup Policy, etc. “The IT policy, which aims at curbing the brain drain, intends to provide 10,000 jobs in the sector. Also, focus is more to create job providers than job seekers,” he added.

Calling upon people for their participation in achieving the goal of ‘Swach Bharat Nitol Goen’, Dr Sawant urged to take a pledge for saying ‘No to Plastic’. “Government is committed to declare Goa plastic free and for that steps are being taken. But, for that every individual’s participation is also equally important. Let us all today pledge to say 'No to Plastic',” he commented.

Union Minister for AYUSH Shripad Naik, State Minister for Housing Jayesh Salgaonkar, Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma IAS, Principal Secretary P Krishnamurthy IAS, North Collector Levinson Martins, Mayor Vithal Chopdekar were amongst those present on the occasion.

On the occasion, the President’s Police Medal for distinguished service was presented to Dinraj Govekar, Superintendent of Police (Traffic) whereas the Police Medal for meritorious service was awarded to Deputy Superintendent of Police (Retd) Ramesh Gaonkar, Panjim Police Inspector Sidhant Shirodkar, and Zubear Momin, PC, Traffic Cell Panjim.